18 years on air! Listen on NPR and iTunes Podcasts

Judy Carmichael, Host

Grammy nominated pianist/vocalist Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano and swing. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride," acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style.

Judy is celebrating her 15th year producing and hosting Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired, broadcast on over 170 stations throughout North America and abroad and on SiriusXM NPR NOW Channel 122. Listen to the Jazz Inspired podcast on iTunes.

Tony Bennett

Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy creator, met with Judy in Hollywood (well, not really, but close by) to talk about his new CD and his favorite jazz recordings. Stewie and Peter dropped by to add their thoughts as well. Brian brought the martinis.

Billy Joel

Blythe Danner

Tony Award winning actress Blythe Danner joins Judy on stage at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival and connects with her early jazz roots. Blythe was a jazz singer in college and discusses with Judy how jazz has continued to influence her acting career.

Christopher Guest

E.L. Doctorow

Celebrated American novelist E.L. Doctorow died July 21st at the age of 84. Doctorow was a friend of Judy’s and one of her first guests on "Jazz Inspired." We revisit her 2000 conversation with him, recorded in his home in Sag Harbor, NY.

Dick Hyman

Pianist/composer Dick Hyman has enjoyed a fascinatingly diverse musical career, recording under his own name, collaborating with others, acting as musical director for movies and television and playing concerts. Dick has an unusually astute understanding of jazz history and the stylistic elements that distinguish the piano giants who created this music. Dick shared his thoughts on these players and how they’ve influenced his own creativity with Judy in this conversation recorded in 2006.

Ron Losby

Chris Brubeck

Multi-instrumentalist/composer, Chris Brubeck is influenced by classical, rock, funk, New Orleans, swing and everything in between. The influence of his father--pianist/composer Dave Brubeck--and the lyric writing of his mother, Iola, have also inspired him and continue to inform everything he pursues in his constantly evolving musical life.

Chris discusses his long career and his latest Brubeck Brothers CD, TimeLine, a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s historic State Department tour.

Shirley Crabbe

New Album

Darmon Meader

Robert Fairchild

A film of the Broadway production of An American in Paris will air for two nights, September 21 and 23. Judy talks with Tony Award nominee, former New York City Ballet Principal dancer, Robert Fairchild, who was nominated for a Tony for the lead role as Jerry Mulligan and starred in the Broadway, West End and Paris productions of the show.

Alan Broadbent

Two time Grammy winner Alan Broadbent left his native New Zealand at the age of 19 to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston after receiving a scholarship from Downbeat Magazine. Alan went on to work as pianist and arranger for Woody Herman’s band, then to stints with Nelson Riddle, Natalie Cole and studio work with Johnny Mandel and David Rose and for many years now he’s conducted and arranged for Diana Krall. In this two part conversation, Alan discusses his continuing love for Mahler, finally finding a lyricist he adores and his orchestral jazz CD Developing Story.

Shannon Powell and Herlin Riley

Recorded live at the Ascona Jazz Festival, New Orleans drummers Herlin Riley and Shannon Powell regale Judy with anecdotes of their adventures together and independently demonstrate authentic NOLA style drumming.

Paula Poundstone

Comedian Paula Poundstone talks with Judy about her new book The Totally Unscientific Study of The Search for Human Happiness, her passion of '20s and'30s jazz, and her forays into swing dancing and tae kwon do!

Fred Hersch

Pianist/composer/activist Fred Hersch is one of the few musicians who feels equally comfortable with classical music and jazz, and discussed how he negotiates his way between these two worlds and uses each to inspire the other. Fred has also been living with HIV/AIDS for more than 25 years and talked about his work in raising awareness and funds throughout his own struggle with the virus.

Jools Holland

British blues and boogie pianist, Jools Holland has collaborated with everyone from Sting to Eric Clapton to Norah Jones after jumping into a musical career at the age of fifteen with the band, Squeeze. Jools is a popular TV and radio presenter as well and his BBC Television show, Later with Jools Holland is now in its 25th year. This is the first of Judy’s two conversations with Jools Holland, which were recorded in his London home in June 2017. He talked about his varied career and his most recent CD, Piano.

Roy Scheider

The late Roy Scheider was inspired to be an actor by the collaborative creativity he saw with the jazz groups he heard as a young man. Roy discusses how jazz continued to inspire him throughout his stage and screen career.

Duke Robillard

Guitarist Duke Robillard’s blues playing and singing have been honored with numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination. Duke is also a fan and swinging exponent of early jazz, which he celebrates on his latest CD,Duke Robillard and His Dames of Rhythm, which includes vocals by his longtime musical collaborator, Sunny Crownover, bluesy Cat Russell, sultry Maria Muldaur and a surprise appearance by Downton Abbey’sElizabeth McGovern. Duke brings it all together with his some of his favorite musicians celebrating well-known standards and lesser-known gems.

Shannon Powell and Herlin Riley

Recorded live at the Ascona Jazz Festival, New Orleans drummers Herlin Riley and Shannon Powell regale me with anecdotes of their adventures together and independently demonstrate authentic NOLA style drumming.

Steve Allen

Comedian Steve Allen’s professional life was always steeped in jazz. On film he played Benny Goodman, on piano he improvised behind Jack Kerouac’s poetry and as the creator and first host of NBC’s The Tonight Show, he turned the studio orchestra into a jazz band. Judy talked with Steve right before his death in 2000, and Steve revealed how jazz inspired every aspect of his creativity.

New Gallery

Animator David Silverman is best known for his work on The Simpsons but he is also a passionate musician, playing his tuba anytime he gets a chance, including a bit of jamming with Judy after they recorded their conversation!